What Damages Can I Receive In A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

According to state police, an 18-year old woman was killed in a crash on
Seven Valleys Road in Codorus Township. The male driver was taken to the
hospital with non-life threatening injuries; however, the woman died at
the scene of the accident. It was unknown why the driver lost control
of the vehicle, crossed the center line, and collided with a tree.

Any time someone dies in a car accident, the family should consult with
an attorney to explore if a
wrongful death lawsuit is appropriate, regardless of the age of the victim or the reason
for the accident. The wrongful death attorneys of Handler, Henning &
Rosenberg LLC offer free consultations so families can get answers to
their questions about a wrongful death lawsuit.

What Does Pennsylvania Consider A Wrongful Death?

Under Pennsylvania personal injury laws, a wrongful death lawsuit may be
filed "to recover damages for the death of an individual caused by
the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another."
However, Pennsylvania law does limit who a wrongful death lawsuit may
benefit - the person's spouse, children, and parents.

If the deceased person does not have a surviving spouse, child, or parent,
the law does permit a personal representative to file a lawsuit to recover
reasonable expenses including medical care, funeral expenses, and administrative
expenses incurred because of the death. The spouse, child, parent, or
personal representative only has two years from the date of death to file
a wrongful death lawsuit. Because a wrongful death investigation can take
some time, it is in the survivors' best interest to consult with a
Harrisburg wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.

Damages in a Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The damages in a wrongful death lawsuit depend on the facts and circumstances
of the case in addition to who files the lawsuit. As discussed above,
if a personal representative files the lawsuit, the damages are
limited to "reasonable hospital, nursing, medical, funeral expenses and expenses
of administration necessitated by reason of injuries causing death. However,
if a surviving spouse, child, or parent files a wrongful death lawsuit,
that person may be entitled to additional damages.

Damages available to qualified persons in a Pennsylvania wrongful death
lawsuit include:

Medical bills from the date of injury through the date of death

Funeral and burial costs

Loss of financial contributions by the decedent

Loss of services, society, and comfort

Loss of guidance, moral upbringing, and tutelage for children of the decedent

Have You Lost A Loved One? Could That Death Have Been Avoided?

No amount of money will bring back your loved one or ease the pain you
are suffering. However, filing a
wrongful death lawsuit can provide the financial support you and your family need as you try
to move forward with your lives. It can also bring a small measure of
closure as you seek justice on behalf of your loved one.

If you have lost a loved one, contact the Pennsylvania wrongful death attorneys
of Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC for a
free consultation.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win Your Case. Get A Free Consultation

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.